Chapter II

I woke up to the sound of my alarm. I lay there for a moment considering not bothering to get up. Then I thought about having to spend the day here with Renee and jumped out of bed. Even school was better than being here. I walked out of my room to the bathroom. The flat was really quiet. I paused outside Renee and Phil's bedroom. I opened the door trying to be as quiet as possible. She lay across the top of the covers sideways and facedown snoring. I bit my lip and closed the door. I wasn't going to wake her up. If she didn't wake up before Phil got here, then that wasn't my problem. I sat down to pee and looked through my phone. A few belated birthday messages from friends at my old school, but nothing important. No message from him anyway. When we left Forks, Renee had given me a new phone, she said it was part of the 'new start,' but she kept her number. Obviously in the hope he would call her. I don't actually know if he did or not. But he definitely didn't try to call me, even though she gave him my number. I got up and stretched my arms over my head, looking in the mirror. I was quite tall, 5'7, and I had long wavy brown hair that reached my waist. I washed my hands and then grabbed some concealer and started applying it under my eyes. I framed by brown eyes with some mascara and eyeliner. That'll do, I thought, biting my lip again. Now what to wear. I walked back into the bedroom and looked through my wardrobe grimacing at my selection. It was warm, just like it always is in Texas. I took out an off the shoulder black top and some denim shorts. I looked at myself, turning to the side. The top showed my toned shoulders and clung to my boobs in a flattering manner. The shorts were long enough to cover my ass, but tight enough to accentuate it. My legs looked decent. Years of running had left my legs toned with lean muscle. I shoved my converse on and then grabbed my backpack off the chair and threw some pens in and a notepad. I didn't have a laptop. Sometimes schools leant them to you, but I wasn't sure about this one. I glanced at the kitchen on my way out, it was still a total mess. No breakfast for me then. I grabbed my keys and walked down the stairs.

Thank god I had a car. It looked awful on the outside but it was actually decent. I ran my hand down the side. I was really interested in cars, actually I was considering trying to get a part time job at the garage down the round. It would be a good way to make money and get out of the flat. It wasn't too far to drive, only about 15 minutes. I eventually pulled up in the parking lot and I applied some cherry lip-gloss in the rear mirror. I got out the car and looked around. The parking lot was starting to get busy and there were groups of people standing outside. I looked at my phone, only 5 minutes until class started. So no time for a cigarette. I put them in my rucksack wistfully. I made my way to the building in front and sighed in relief when I read Administration Building.I walked in the door. The room was surprisingly well decorated. There was an oaky wooden floor and white walls. There was a desk against the back wall where a short woman sat with bright red hair. She looked in her 50s or so. To the left there were three doors. One marked 'Principle', one marked 'Finance' and the final one 'Nurse'. I walked up to the woman at the desk, eyeing the placard at the front.

'Hello Mrs Cope.' I said politely. She looked up at me and stared at me. She wore red-rimmed glasses that sat on the edge of her nose, above them her eyes were sharp and inquisitive. I got the feeling she was a bit of a gossip.

'Ah hello there, are you new?' she asked, rummaging through the papers in front of her.

'Yes', I replied, 'Bella Swan.'

'Ah yes Bella, welcome welcome' she said jovially, typing what I presumed to be my name into the keyboard in front of her. She clicked away then looked back up at me for a moment, before continuing, 'What brings you to Houston Independent dear?' I fought the urge to roll my eyes. What a stupid question.

'Witness protection.' I said sarcastically. Her hands stopped moving and she looked up.

'Hah, very funny dear.' She said chuckling. I raised my eyebrow. 'I see you've moved schools three times in the last three years, do your parents have to move with work?' she questioned. I took a calming breath trying not to snap at her.

'I think, that's none of your business.' I replied, smiling, hoping the expression would slightly diminish the frostiness of my words. She looked at me astonished.

'Oh yes um, well of course dear I- well anyway here's your schedule.' She handed me a piece of paper that had just come from the computer.

'Thank you' I said as kindly as possible.

As I left I heard her mutter 'What a bitch.' I laughed under my breath, if she thought that was bitchy she had no idea, that was me trying to be nice!

I looked at the piece of paper in front of me. First period, Social studies, second period, AP English, third period, AP biology, a study period, and finally PE. What a lovely fucking day, I thought irritated. Not to mention this school was a fucking maze. I managed to find the classroom 10 minutes after the bell had rung signalling the start of first period. I paused in front of the door and then walked in. The teacher was in his 50s, and visibly balding. He had a grey moustache and cold blue eyes.

'Ah, you must be Bella Swan.' He announced, looking me up and down. I stared back at him. 'Nice of you to join us Miss Swan, I'm Mr Hastings.' He said looking away. I knew instantly he wouldn't take any shit from me. Hey, I respect that. I smirked.

'Sorry Mr Hastings, I got lost.' I stated.

'Anyone want to help Miss Swan today finding her classes?' he asked the class. I looked at them expectantly. All the guys raised their hands. I smiled coyly then sighed at the lack of hands from the girls. Typical. Though, I always struggled to be friends with girls after Tanya. The smile dropped from my face at the thought.

'Paul', Mr Hastings stated. I followed his gaze and bit my lip. He was sat near the back and smirking at me with sultry brown eyes. He had dark brown hair that was styled so the front stuck up slightly. My eyes slid down his face. He had high and angular cheek bones and his lips were slightly pouty, he smiled as I checked him out, flashing perfect white teeth. He was wearing a grey t-shirt that was tight enough to show off his lean and muscled body. I pouted when I reached his torso and the desk cut me off from viewing any more of him. Mr Hastings cleared his throat and I turned to him, realising he was looking at me expectantly. It took me a moment to remember he'd just told me to sit down in the seat by Paul. Don't mind if I do, I thought smirking. I sat down in my seat and turned to look at him. His eyes met mine darkly, full of promise. He was definitely a player, I thought, turning my eyes to the front. Exactly my type. Mr Hastings started drabbling on and I jotted down a few notes, quickly realising he was covering something I'd already done. I sighed and sat back in my seat a little.

'So, Be-lla,' Paul said next to me, rolling his tongue on my name. His voice had a husky tone to it. I turned to look at him again. Oh yes, I'd definitely be spending some time with Paul. 'What brings you to Houston independent, in your senior year?' I groaned internally, why did you have to askthat.

'I just moved across town; my mom got a new job.' I lied. If he asked a lot of personal questions, then I was just going to have to pass. I didn't like questions.

'Fair enough.' He said casually, crossing his arms in front of him on the desk. I stared at his biceps for a moment. Well played Paul, I thought fighting the urge to chuckle. 'What's your schedule like?' he asked after a moment. A much better question, I thought relieved.

'After this, AP English, AP biology, Lunch then a study period, and PE.' I replied, resting my chin on my hands and causing my shirt to gape slightly. His eyes dropped to my chest then back up to my eyes. He smirked at me again and I bit my lip. God he was hot.

'Smart and beautiful' he complimented. I rolled my eyes but offered him a smile. 'We have study period and PE together then.'

'I see,' I replied.

'I actually know a really good study spot.' He said cheekily.

'Oh, you do, do you?' I said coyly, biting my lip again. His eyes dropped to my lips and I felt a rush of heat between my legs as his eyes darkened.

'Yeah' he said huskily. I was definitely going to take him up on that, but not today.

I leant towards him, he smirked. 'Maybe someday.' I said leaning back in my seat. He gaped at me a moment before shaking his head and smiling. The rest of the class went smoothly, and to my surprise Paul was actually funny and witty. Of course, that only made him hotter, but I didn't let on that I thought so.

'So because you're a lost little lamb today, I'll help you get to your classes.' Paul said as we walked out of the room. 'My friend Jasper actually has AP English with you, and then my other friends Emmett and Rosalie have AP Biology with you, so you'll be fine.' I smiled at him,

'Thanks Paul that's actually really nice.' I said. Damn, another point for Paul. He smirked at me,

'I am nice,' he replied. 'You have no ideahow nice I am.' He winked at me and I chuckled.

'Oh I bet.' I laughed. We walked down the corridor and I tried to take in my surroundings so I would know where to go next time. I was so absorbed in staring at the lockers and the labels on the doors that I wasn't looking where I was going and ended up walking straight into someone.

'Fuck me' I said as a rebounded against a hard body and almost fell over. Hands grabbed my waist and righted me.

'Only if you ask me nicely.' I heard. I looked up. The first thing I noticed was he was really tall. At least 6 foot 3. His hair was honey coloured and fell into his eyes, which were chocolate brown with flecks of topaz. His lips were full and his jaw was defined. My eyes slid down his torso, his chest was wide and clearly muscled, his arms were bronzed with fair hairs. He was wearing black jeans that clung to clearly muscled legs. He obviously played sport of some kind. Wow, I thought appreciatively. I realised I was taking too long and quickly looked back up at his eyes. He was staring at me with an amused expression.

'Jasper!' Paul said, 'This is Bella, she's new.' So, this was Jasper.

'Hello Bella,' Jasper said, smiling at me. He had a strong Texas accent, much stronger than Pauls. Jesus what do they put in the water here.

'Hi Jasper,' I returned confidently. 'Sorry for walking into you. Apparently, I'm a walking hazard.' He chucked lowly and I shivered, Fuck even his laugh was hot.

'Apparently so darlin', it's nice to meet you.' Paul turned to me,

'Okay Bella, seeing as Jasper has English now too, I'll leave you with him. Is that okay Jas?' he said, 'I've got to run because I've got Geography and I'm gonna be late if I don't go now.'

'Thank you Paul.' I said at the same time as Jasper said, 'Yeah no worries man.' I looked back at Jasper.

'See you later.' Paul winked at me. I laughed and turned back to Jasper.

'Follow me darlin', it's just down the hall.' He gestured.

'Thanks Jasper.' I said smiling at him. He nodded and we started walking.

'How's your first day going?' he asked me, that twang was so attractive. If only Paul and Jasper weren't friends. Well, nevermind about Paul, Jasper was much hotter.

'It's getting better,' I flirted. There was that chuckle again, I felt my stomach jump. I could imagine that laugh in a different setting, and that voice…I felt his hand lightly touch the small of my back. His touch felt electric and I gasped.

'Oh yeah?' Jasper said, pausing outside the door as he turned and looked at me. His brown eyes were smouldering into mine. He was looking at me like he wanted to bend me over. I would let him.

'Yeah.' I said breathily. He smirked and I felt a rush of heat between my legs. I had never been so turned on by someone before. We walked in the door to the classroom and the teacher introduced herself to me, Mrs Webber.

'Here you can sit by me,' Jasper said, gesturing to the table at the back. I started to move towards the table when a flash of platinum blonde hair rushed past my face. I paused as a blonde girl threw herself at Jasper and kissed him. Are you fucking serious? Jasper gently extricated her off of him and looked at me somewhat apologetically. She turned to me, staring at me icily.

'Who are you?' she said sourly. I stared straight back at her.

'I'm Bella.' I said, 'And you are?'

'Lauren.' She responded, 'Jasper's girlfriend.'

A/N There we have it, the first half of Bella's first day at school. She's already captivated by Jasper and Paul, but poor Bella, Jasper's taken.

Lots of love,

Creaatingmadness xxx